Thank you to my parents for loving me through my addiction

by Tiffani Borello

In the picture above: Tiffani’s dad on the left. The pic on the right shows her grandmother, brother, sister, Tiffani and her mom. One of her siblings at bottom of article.

Dear Mom and Dad, This letter to you is long overdue, and it took me a while to build the courage to write this to you two. First off, I want to thank you. Thank you for always being there and picking me up when I fell down.

You’ve invested so much time, sweat, pain, tears, and money trying to fix my mental health and addiction. You tried so hard until it got to the point where you had to stop helping me because I had to learn how to help myself and I had to WANT the change.

It took many trials and errors but I’m finally on the right track– going to school, making new healthy friends, and leaving the past in the past.

If it wasn’t for your constant support for me to do better, I sometimes wonder where I would be now. Maybe dead, in jail, or even maybe I’d be in an institution. You both showed me what unconditional love is. And when you guys were tough on me when I was younger I now understand why. And the reason is simple, it’s because you guys love me. And I’m so blessed and grateful to have parents like that.

I wanted to take the time to thank you for never giving up on me, I want to thank my dad for being my Prince Charming, driving hours just to “rescue” me and help me get into a facility to detox multiple times.

I want to thank my mom for always building me up and never breaking me down even when I was a complete mess. My mom is a true queen and as her daughter, she would always make sure I felt just as beautiful on the inside as she says I am on the outside.

I also wanted to say sorry. For all the times I’ve hurt you. From the lies to the stealing, to just not acting like the daughter you raised me to be.

The fact that you and dad drove every weekend from Massachusetts to Riker’s Island to visit me for one hour just so I wouldn’t feel so alone meant the world to me.

I am so lucky. I’m so blessed and sometimes I don’t show enough appreciation.

I am learning to be a better person and my family members are, without a doubt, my biggest cheerleaders. I put you both through so much, it was unfair of me. I was constantly thinking about myself and me only, not realizing addiction affects everybody who cares about you.

All in all, thank you for not only being my rock but for being my parents. I love you all unconditionally. I want to thank you also for accepting me for me, because I will always be an addict, but at the same time I will always be your daughter.

Love you always, Tiffani

Depression and addiction do not discriminate